Swimming apparatus.



M. HLINKA.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

urmouxon rum) NOV. 24. 1913.

Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

MIKE I-ILINKA, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SWIMMING- APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MIKE HLINKA, a subject of the King of Hungary, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in swimming apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a body harness with a plurality of inflated bags which are adapted to lie under the body when the body is in a horizontal position in the water and to keep the same afloat. V

WVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing by like characters throughout the several views and wherein Figure 1 illustrates the manner of attaching my apparatus to the body. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the inflated bags, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fastening straps which surround the air bags.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, my invention comprises the longitudinal straps 10 which may be of any suitable material, but it is preferable that double canvas be used for this purpose. These straps extend longitudinally of the breast and back of the wearer to a point adjacent the waist line. Transverse straps ll of the same material extend about the body at the chest and waist line and are stitched or otherwise secured to the longitudinal strips at the rear as at 12. Buckle connections 13 between the ends of the transverse straps are provided to aiford an adjustment. Any number of inflated bags may be employed but preferably as shown there are six, these bags being des ignated 14 are carried by the above de- Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 24, 1913.

Patented Apr. 14, 191d. Serial No. 802,687.

scribed harness on the breast side thereof and are so disposed with respect to the wearer.

The particular manner of securing the air bags 14 to the harness is shown in Fig. at and comprises a pair of straps 15 and 16 arranged at right angles and preferably stitched or otherwise secured together at their lower crossing ends as at 17. These straps 15 and 16 are relatively short and when folded about the bag 14 are stitched adjacent their upper ends to their meeting sides as at 18. It is to be noted that the connection 18 for the strap 16 is disposed inwardly of the like connection for the strap 15. The upper ends 19 of the straps 15 and 16 are then folded backwardly and secured as at 20 to the longitudinal and transverse straps 10 and 11. The longitudinal straps 10 which are connected to the ends 19 of the straps 15 are disposed beneath the transverse straps 11.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the construction and operation of the device is readily apparent and while I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to confine myself thereto, as various forms and modifications of the same may be had without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

A swimming apparatus comprising a pair of longitudinal and transverse straps connected at their crossing points, said transverse straps being adjustably connected at their meeting rear ends, a plurality of inflated bags, a pair of straps arranged at right angles and inclosing each bag, said bag inclosing straps being connected to the longitudinal and transverse straps at their front crossing points.

In testimony whereof I afliX in presence of two witnesses.

MIKE HLINKA.

my signature Witnesses Gno. KRONE, CHAS. LINKO.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

